Demands A Response
The Family At No. 12 by Anita Waller is a marvelous contemporary psychological thriller that gripped me from the start. It is set over a period of nineteen years moving forwards in time from 1999.
The plotline was very unique. I also found it incredibly upsetting and disturbing as I was emotionally invested in the main character. What happened to her affected me in my heart and mind. I had taken her into my heart – her innocence appealed to the mother in me. I just wanted to look after her.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic. They elicited a variety of responses from me – from feelings of intense dislike to incredible care.
Our upbringings and our genes affect our character make-up. Not necessarily good traits travel down the generations. We are a mixture of nature and nurture.
The novel is seen from a variety of females points of view. We witness both physical weakness and mental strength. Female camaraderie abounds as characters bind together.
An artistic trait also travels down the generations. With comprehensive descriptions from Anita Waller, I could almost ‘see’ the quilts.
The Family At No. 12 was completely engrossing. It is a book that demands an emotional response from the reader. You cannot read this book and remain unchanged. It is not a tale you can be ambivalent to. This is a very powerful and disturbing psychological read that will keep you up at night.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
A note to the reader: please, if you are affected by any of the issues in this book, tell someone and get help.
JULIA WILSON
The Family at No. 12
When Janette answers the door to a potential customer looking to board his dog, she never imagines he has nefarious plans.
But minutes later he’s dead and in her cellar.
Weeks later she realises she’s pregnant.
And so she becomes Mother and the baby Child, and a hidden life begins.
But all secrets come out eventually . . .
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3fftg6f
Author Bio –
Anita Waller is the author of many bestselling psychological thrillers and the Kat and Mouse crime series. She lives in Sheffield, which continues to be the setting of many of her thrillers, and was first published by Bloodhound at the age of sixty-nine. Her first book for Boldwood will be published in August 2022.
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